FOUND ON ALTSOUNDS: Undermine Trouvail (Acoustic)
 

The first thing one notices upon first hearing Undermine by Trouvail (Acoustic) is the mismatch between the orchestration/instrumentation and the quality of the singer's voice. The thin sound of her voice lacks any resonance and comes across as extremely nasal and unattractive. It would seem that some attempt has been made in production to add some reverb to try to unsuccessfully address this problem. The only track that successfully matched the instrumentation with the voice was Brave the Climb. My advice would be to stick with that sound and stop experimenting.

As for the track, Undermine, it is one of the weakest in the album due to its lyrics, harmony and formal construction. It lacks the spark of creativity and is simply boring. If I came across this track playing in a venue I would move to another room without delay. Translation: the vocalist undermines the ensemble and listening to this music is just plain hard work.

The only bright spot in my ear was the skill and talent of the guitarist that occasionally makes its way to the foreground.

Re: FOUND ON ALTSOUNDS: Undermine Trouvail (Acoustic)
 

I wanted to thank you for taking the time to listen to and review my song, even though you didn't like it.

I will definitely take your advice to heart and try to revise the song so that there is a better blend between the vocals and the instrumentation. However, you did say that "the only bright spot in my ear was the skill and talent of the guitarist that occasionally makes its way to the foreground." I thought I might mention the fact that I, the poor nasally vocalist, am also the guitarist, pianist, percussionist, lyricist, mixer, arranger, and everything else. Considering the fact that I don't even own any professional recording equipment (not even a microphone -- music is something I do just for fun!) I think I did quite alright for a beginning artist. I'm only clarifying this because in your review, you mentioned something about an "ensemble" and spoke about the guitarist as if he/she were a separate entity, when in fact it's all me.

Thank you again for devoting some of your time and energy to listening to my music, and for sharing your honest opinion of it. I appreciate it very much.

Sincerely,
Trouvail

Re: FOUND ON ALTSOUNDS: Undermine Trouvail (Acoustic)
 

did you even read any information about trouvail before you listened to her songs? it is stated right above her profile that she does all her instruments, lyrics, and recordings completely solo. then again, in her profile, one reads quite clearly that anything you hear in trouvail's music was written and performed all by her. yet in your review you talk about the guitarist and the vocalist like they're separate people.

you also state that "undermine" is the "weakest song on the album." trouvail doesn't even have an album. she just makes music, and posts it in the hopes that people can share in her passion for it.

and by the way, i read one of your other reviews... it was of "scream my name" by cameron icon giddings. you said that the song lyrics revealed a real talent for poetry. i listened to the lyrics. "scream my name. i'm gonna make it rain. get crunk and go insane." um...? didn't you say that the lyrics of trouvail's song were "weak?" so, if i understand you right, lyrics about getting crunk and going insane are better and "more poetic" than ones like "sweet as a small song, a soft lullaby, sung from a lover's lips, you catch my eye... all at once, my universe breaks in two... you are the rift in my sky." that makes absolutely no sense to me and, to be honest, seems a little unfair!

well, everyone's entitled to his own opinion i guess... i just happen to disagree with your scathing review...